--and two invaders--Be My Choice, from Canada, and Stir Fry, from the Meadowlands.

Last weekend Joss, the Suburban runner-up last year, outfinished Ritmo to win the $23,500 Nansemond Invitational. Although it was his first victory of the year in six starts, Joss had been banging on the door with four places and a show in his other races.

Charge Plate also is on a roll. After winning two in a row, he set a track record for a 4-year-old pacer with a 1:55 3/5 performance Jan. 31, only to have the mark erased when he was demoted to fourth on a disqualification. He prepped for the Suburban with a second-place finish in the $29,400 Whizzer R. White.

-- The Illinois Racing Board meets Saturday, and a controversy may be forthcoming when Billy Johnston, Balmoral Park`s new president and part owner and Maywood Park`s co-owner, reveals his plans for their respective upcoming harness meetings.

Johnston wants to whittle the schedule at the Balmoral meeting, which begins Wednesday, to four programs per week and cut the schedule at Maywood, which opens Feb. 26, to five weekly programs.

If the board approves, the sulky schedule would take effect starting Feb. 26, when the thoroughbred season begins at Sportsman`s Park. Plans also call for the track that is dark to simulcast the races from the facility that is operating and conduct intertrack betting.

Balmoral would race Sunday afternoon and Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Maywood would have Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday night programs. Johnston believes the result will be higher purses for the horsemen and better quality racing for the fans.

But Mickey Ezzo, executive director of the Illinois Harness Horseman`s Association, says that his owner-trainer constitutents are balking at the plan because it will minimize the racing opportunities for cheaper horses. They contend that, although purses will be higher, their stables` net revenue will decline.